Why shouldn’t I scoop the litter box if I am pregnant?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection that can threaten the health of an unborn child. It is caused by a parasite called
Toxoplasma gondii. Pregnant women shouldn't change cat litter boxes because cats can be infected with the disease. Cats can carry this disease because they hunt and eat other animals. This disease is rare in house cats but you would be better off avoiding the litter box anyway. A pregnant woman can catch the infection by touching or breathing the particles (such as dust) from cat feces. You can also get toxoplasmosis by eating raw or under cooked red meat or by touching dirt while gardening that has been contaminated by cat feces.
More than 60 million people in the United States have been infected with the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, but very few become ill. If a woman gets toxoplasmosis during pregnancy it can affect the developing baby and cause birth defects, particularly in eye and brain development. Therefore it is advised that women who are pregnant ask to have someone else, such as a Doodie Free professional, change the cat litter box. It is safe to hold and pet your cat however, so feel free to give your pet all the affection it deserves.
